According to the Grossman Law Offices, APC, in California, there are five main types of worker’s compensation benefits, medical care, temporary disability, permanent disability, supplemental job displacement, and dependent death benefits.
Many workers believe that their employers and the insurance firms have their best interests at heart. However, are you actually receiving all the benefits you are entitled to following your work-related injury or illness? Do these benefits cover your medical treatments, and are they enough so that you can manage your daily expenses even though you cannot work?
Here is everything you need to know about the main types of workers’ compensation benefits that you or your family are entitled to!
The Five Main Workers’ Compensation Benefits in California
Each injured worker in California is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits based on their work-related injury or illness severity. The benefits you receive should help you live a normal life rather than struggling, especially since you can’t work for a period of time or indefinitely. Here are the five main workers’ compensation benefits in California that you should know about!
1- Medical Care
An injured worker should be able to afford medical treatment and other follow-up procedures. Everything from diagnostics, physical therapy, surgery, and doctor appointments should be covered by your workers’ compensation benefits in an effort to treat your injuries.
You should not pay for any medical treatments for your work-related injury, and you are entitled to lifetime medical care if the circumstances of your injuries or illness are appropriate.
2- Temporary Disability
If an injured worker is temporarily unable to perform their work-related duties due to their injuries or illness, they are entitled to temporary disability benefits. These benefits are generally ⅔ of your average weekly pay, tax-free.
It doesn’t include only your wages but also commissions, tips, bonuses, overtime, and more.
Other factors in your work-related injury or illness can influence the total amount, and these benefits end once you are able to work again. Though the maximum length you can receive these benefits is two years, you can pass this limit if the injuries are severe. Speak to a workers’ compensation attorney to learn more.
3- Permanent Disability
If an injured worker is permanently unable to perform their work-related duties, then they are entitled to permanent disability benefits. However, you can also receive temporary disability benefits and medical care independently.
4- Supplemental Job Displacement Voucher
If you didn’t return to your employer after being released by your treating physician, you might be eligible to receive a supplemental job displacement voucher. This is meant to help you pay for educational retraining, skill enhancement, or both, including purchasing books, fees, tuition, and more. The amount of this benefit is usually around $6,000.
5- Dependant Death
Workers’ compensation benefits aren’t meant only to help injured workers but their families as well. If you lost a loved one due to a work-related accident, then you might be entitled to workers’ compensation. Speak with a workers’ compensation attorney to learn more about who is entitled to this type of benefit and how much you should receive.